Three Sue Kentucky McDonald's, Allege Antigay Harassment

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a complaint with the Louisville, Ky., Human Relations Commission, claiming “discriminatory treatment” based on sexual orientation in an East Market Street McDonald's, the ACLU announced Tuesday. Ryan Marlatt, Teddy Eggers, and three others entered the McDonald's for lunch and claimed they were verbally harassed from an employee and supervisor.

"Nobody should be treated the way my friends and I were at that McDonald's," Eggers, of Indianapolis, said in the statement. "When we finally got to speak with a supervisor, she said she didn't see what the big deal was. I couldn't believe what was happening."

While waiting for their meal, Marlatt and Eggers overheard the female employee refer to them as “faggots.” An argument ensued between the employee and customers, where more antigay slurs were used. Marlatt and Eggers then consulted the supervisor on duty, asking for an apology and full refund. They were denied.

"It may just be a few dollars for a Big Mac and some fries,” Marlatt said, “but if I'm going to spend my hard-earned money anywhere, I should be able to do so without being verbally abused.”

Marlatt and Eggers say they want an apology, a refund of the $28 they spent on the McDonald's meal, appropriate disciplinary action for the employees involved, and commendation for an employee at the counter who attempted to solve the dispute.

Since the July 26 incident, Marlatt filed reports with the McDonald’s corporation as well as phoned the East Market Street McDonald’s. Each complaint was ignored, and many times he was hung up on, the ACLU says.

"Although their complaints have gone unanswered by McDonald's, Louisville has a law that protects people from this kind of treatment from any business," said Christine Sun, an ACLU senior staff attorney, who is representing Marlatt and Eggers. "Even though they won't return Mr. Marlatt's phone calls, we hope the Human Relations Commission will convince them to finally respond to this."

Louisville has a human rights ordinance that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in public arenas. (Kandice Day, The Advocate)

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

If you would like to submit a comment for posting, please fill out the form above.

All comments submitted via this form are subject to posting or publication. (To send a private letter to an Advocate editor or writer, please use the e-mail button at the top of the page, or use snail mail.) If you would like your comment considered for publication in The Advocate magazine, please include your full name, your city of residence, and a phone number where you can be reached during business hours so that we can confirm your identity. Your e-mail address and telephone number are strictly confidential and will not be shared or used for any purpose other than to contact you about your comment.

See the Contact page for sending comments for reasons other than responding to Advocate editorial and news stories.

Please note that comments sent by fax or snail mail are unlikely to be posted, although they will be considered for publication along with all letters received via e-mail or via this Web page. Comments that chiefly concern Advocate.com content will be considered for posting only on the Web site. The Advocate reserves the right to edit submitted comments for grammar, spelling, obscenities, or libel; we will, however, do our best to preserve the original comment's style and intent. Comments considered for publication in The Advocate magazine may also be edited for length.

More Exclusives

View From the Hill: The End of DADT?
Defense Secretary Robert Gates revealed that lawyers are exploring ways to ease enforcement of the military's gay ban, but cautioned that the law doesn't leave much wiggle room. He need look no further than DOD history for a lesson in altering the policy.

Hot Sheet: Week of July 5
When you get back from that big 4th of July barbecue, unwind with Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno and your favorite B-movie-mocking, basic cable robots.

Hungry Like the Wolf
A master of viola, ukulele, piano, and harp, Patrick Wolf is a music prodigy -- one who, the night before this interview, spit on a cop and got himself arrested.

Soapside: Advocate's Guide to Daytime
Forbes March talks about playing gay, Otalia fans outraged, update on One Life to Live’s Patricia Maurceri’s firing over gay plot point, Phillip Chancellor III big reveal, and Erica Kane goes to Africa.

The Faces of Federal Prop. 8
With the federal challenge to Prop. 8 moving full speed ahead, Advocate.com sits down with the two couples named as plaintiffs in the suit.

Mommy, the Gays Are Coming
After a year of advancements and celebration for gay and lesbian Colombians, the community takes to the streets of Bogota for the country's biggest pride ever.

The Pride of Antwerp
Advocate.com hits the gay-friendly streets of Antwerp with openly gay police commissioner Serge Muyters.

Excerpt: Mean Little Deaf Queer
In an excerpt from her humorous and harrowing new memoir, Mean Little Deaf Queer, Terry Galloway recalls her early childhood, describing feelings of ugliness, confusion about gender, and being one of the boys.

Top Political Blogs
From Joe.My.God to The Daily Beast, Advocate.com spotlights a few of the best blogs that cover politics, inside and way outside the Beltway.

The Diva of French Television
A hot young screenwriter who has made gay OK for millions of French viewers, Nicolas Mercier sips champagne, dons a feathered hat, and says he wants to see Colin Farrell and Jude Law go at it.